35 Things I Love about my Brother...on his 35th Birthday

I am celebrating today,
celebrating the day I became a big sister 35 years ago.
(Yes...your math is correct.  That makes me older than 35.  Hushyourmouth.)

In honor of Derek's 35th birthday, here are 35 of my favorite things about my bro.

(cracks knuckles, deep exhale....)


1.  He had wicked awesome Ping-Pong skills...skills that I have always failed to live up to, bringing shame upon my family.  Oh well.

Ping-pong....serious business!

2.  He trusted me with his wardrobe, allowing me to "make him over" several times in his adulthood.  It made Christmas shopping for him easy.

The last outfit I gave him...on his 31st birthday.

3.  He was my go-to movie critic.  Since he saw seemingly EVERY movie in the theater, I could always ask for a thumbs-up or thumbs down.

4.  He made me LAUUUUGH.  He was funny in a non-obvious way.  But if I was paying attention, he could have me in stitches on the floor.

5.  We both learned American Sign Language and used it to talk about our parents' Christmas gifts...right in front of them.  They'd really get steamed.  We'd laugh.

6.  He was generous with his time.  No one worked harder, fulfilling his volunteer duties at church and beyond joyfully...even if he had worked a shift all night.

7.  He was generous with his money.  He once bought me lunch after church, and I never paid him back...it became a joke between us, but he wouldn't have accepted it, even if I tried.

8.  He was generous with gifts.  Ten times he showed up at my apartment with a new season of F.R.I.E.N.D.S on DVD, just to see my excitement and spend some time with me.  It was his love language.

9.  He was a fierce competitor at Balloon Volleyball in our living room.  It was grade school, people.

10.  He kept memories fresh for me, some of which I had completely forgotten and still don't recall.  I miss those the most.

11.  He had this inherent genius on the computer.  Back when the internet went skaweeeereeerrrrt, he was typing in complex codes to black screens and blowing my mind.  

12.  We shared a love of television....24, ER, American Idol, The Office.  It made good fodder for conversation when we lived far away from each other.

13.  He had a crazy high pain tolerance.  IF he complained about not feeling well, he REALLY wasn't feeling well.  He internalized much of his discomfort, even at the end of his life.  

Chemo with a smile :)

14.  He could put me in my place.  If I was getting too rowdy during a sound check, my mic would suddenly be dead... Sound people have a lot of power that way.

15.  We shared a Micro-Machines collection and raced them on our piano bench.  That bench is now in my home, and those memories make me smile.

16.  He stuck to his guns.  I never ever ever ever ever heard Derek sing a note.  And I tried.  Tried to trick him into it, begged and pleaded...nope.  He was not going to do it.

17.  Derek loved surprising people with magic tricks.  His card tricks would have people floored.  As kids, we would be so stoked to watch the David Copperfield illusion specials...and we attended one of his shows.  Derek bought my ticket, of course.

18.  Determination.  He had to work harder than most people to overcome some physical obstacles and learning challenges.  He was successful in obtaining his degrees and beginning his chosen career.

Graduating from CSU Stanislaus with a BA in Criminal Justice

19.  He had an insane DVD collection.  But not because he loved DVDs.  He wanted his friends to be able to borrow them from him.  Again, a love language.

20.  He took U2 fandom to the next level, attending multiple concert tours, acquiring rare memorabilia and owning every EP and album they made.  Everyone who knew him knew he loved U2.  

21.  Back in the days of Napster, I could give Derek a list of songs I loved, and he would burn me a CD.  Even after Napster caved, he still found ways to make CDs for me, even if it cost him money (it usually didn't).  I miss that.

22.  He was the self-designated gift-distributor on Christmas morning.  First to rise, he would wake me up to open stockings well before our parents knew we were up.  Christmas is a sweet memory for me. 

23.  He was a loyal friend.  I believe he let one of his friends use his car for a week, even though it was an inconvenience for him.  The best kind of friend.

24.  He was a loyal teammate.  The guy drank ipecac in order to leave work for a softball game...and consequently played the game sick-as-a-dog.  Hey....I didn't say he was the brightest.

25.  He was a cool brother-in-law.  Chris enjoyed talking Fantasy Football and other things with him.  I wish they had more time together.

26.  He got to share in the excitement of our baby and was thrilled to become an uncle!  I shared with him the name we had chosen for our baby first.  He approved.  I know he is Kendall's special angel.

Uncle Derek feeling Kendall kicking at 6 months.

 27.  I've never been cool enough to have nicknames.  He was so cool, he had many.  Deez.  Dizzle.  El Nino.  Big D.  And, the one that started it all....De-de (compliments of his big sis at 3 yrs.)

Dizzle behind the sound board at CrossWalk

28.  I love the many ways I could easily make him feel super awkward.  As a big sister, it was my job.

29.  His laugh.  Oh, I miss his laugh.  It was a kind-of breathy exhale, followed by putting his hand up to his mouth as if he was going to spit out water.  Uncontrollable and natural.  Loved it.

30.  Patience.  I watched him in several specific scenarios exhibit extraordinary patience (the kind of which I couldn't conceive).  It worked out sometimes, and other times it didn't.  But it was a virtue of his that I admired a great deal.

31.  Speaking of 31...his dislike of ice-cream followed him through life.  Which meant, of course, more for me :)

32.  He had a gentle way with children.  Growing up in a day-care household, kids were always around.  In  adulthood, after Derek would come home from a work shift, he was quick to greet and often play with the kids.  They loved him.

The Day Care littles having a good time with Derek.

33.  I get my competitive nature from growing up playing games against this guy.  From our primitive beginnings playing Hungry, Hungry Hippos to more "sophisticated" games like Backgammon, a good challenge satiated both of our appetites.  Our annual Backgammon Tournament carries on this memory.

34.  He loved our dogs.  The only attention they really knew was Derek's frequent visits with them in the backyard.  He was heartbroken when we lost them. 

35.  Because he was a believer in Jesus Christ, I get to be with him again someday.  I'm so excited!  Save me a place next to you, Deez...